Top 10 Bangkok Attractions: When in Bangkok, eat streetfood as the Thais do

WG Ysabs's upcoming trip to Bangkok has finally moved me to put pen to paper, or at least put fingertip to keyboard, after months of silence in which I vowed to write a killer blog entry once every two weeks (as convenient excuses go, I've been busy!).

Bangkok has many attractions, least of all the astonishing mix of ethnicities you'll find there. It doesn't lack in age-old temples, new clubs, scrumptious street food and bargains.

Pick up a city map and don't be afraid to do some exploring on your own. I rode trains, ferries, cabs and tuk-tuks, those illustrious three-wheeled rickshaws, by myself without any trouble. I discourage getting a tour guide for touring Bangkok; maps and trains are still the cheapest way to get around.

Here are my favorite destinations in and near Bangkok:

1. Ayutthaya

Just a few hours outside of Bangkok, it's a must-see for ancient history buffs like me. Here you will find ruins of the trading kingdom of Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the morbid staple of travel magazines -- a detached head of a stone Buddha. Best stops are Wat Mahathat and Wat Yai Chaimongkol (a giant reclining Buddha set in stone).

Wat Mahathat

 

Monk ambush, Wat Arun

2. Wat Arun, Temple of Dawn

My favorite stop within the city limits. This temple will beguile you with walls of gold luster and semiprecious gems, of antique porcelain etched with every paisley and floral print imaginable. I enjoyed scaling the steep stairs to the temple's peak and writing on the prayer wall, while exchanging pleasantries with a monk who very kindly offered to pose in a photo with me (whee!). The temple complex offers endless opportunities for viewing Buddhist art. Mandatory attire: Covered legs. Entrance fee: THB50.

3. That Massage Place on Soi Kasemsan 2

On my way back from Jim Thompson's house, I passed by this massage place on Soi Kasemsan 2. Immediately, my eyes darted to the blackboard in front advertising two-hour massages for THB400 (or somewhere near that price) and I went in. After two hours of equal parts painful and delicious ministerings from the masseuse who put us both in awkward positions no two women had business being in, I was in heaven and I floated back to the hotel on a cloud.

4. The grounds of Wat Pho, Temple of the Reclining Golden Buddha

While the massive golden Buddha is itself a draw, the temple complex is a revelation. The complex is surprisingly wide with a smattering of temples, hallways, statues and turrets of tinted porcelain. If you're lucky like me, you might even catch some quiet time in a secluded spot. Entrance fee: THB100.

5. The evening stalls on Rajdamri Road

Everyday at 5pm I hung out on the porch of our hotel on Rajdamri Road, and waited for the storekeepers to appear like clockwork and start setting up their stalls and peddling their wares. I bought my undeniably red, heart-shaped rug here. An open letter to the noodle vendors on Rajdamari: When we say 'a bit spicy,' we don't mean 'let loose an arsonist inside our mouths.'

6. Damnoensaduak Floating Market, Ratchaburi

How can I avoid talking about this tourist trap. I can't. I imagined this to be an authentic piece of Thai culture, but reality came crashing down with masses of foreigners on canoes and OTT prices. If there is a floating market somewhere where locals actually come to buy -- I want to see it! A tip: don't make purchases while on a canoe because your driver gets a cut from the profit; you can always walk around later.

7. Marble Temple

A thing of beauty.

8. The Long Table

 

For nights when you want to just kick back and relax (or as we say it in Manila, chillax), the Long Table is a good option. The more laidback cousin of Vertigo & Moon Bar and Lebua Sky Bar, the Long Table offers stunning views of Bangkok with the added distinction of having the longest table in Bangkok at 25 meters long. Yup, like you'd want to hang out somewhere because they have the longest table.

9. Sukhumvit Soi 38 Food Stalls

This guy makes the best pad thai in the city

First off, Bangkok has the best streetfood in the world (or what I've seen of it so far). Come to think of it, their street food is better than their restaurant food. In Soi 38, you'll find the best passion fruit shakes and pad thai in the city.

10. Chao Phraya River Cruise

Get a glimpse of rural Thailand. The buffet lunch/dinner's not bad either. It's best do this on the way back from Ayutthaya. Go up on the deck and enjoy the view! Best done in the evening.

Runners-Up

Maeklong Train Market (missed this one, oh the horror!)

Wat Intharawihan

Mom and I at Wat Intharawihan

This temple features a standing golden Buddha, the tallest in Bangkok at 32 meters high.

Bargain hunting at Chatuchak (weekends only) and Pratunam Markets

Not a fan! There's nothing like my native Manila when it comes to shopping deals.

Lebua at State Tower Hotel 

For that Hangover 2 experience. =P

Elephant Village, Ayutthaya

Please don't support animal cruelty.

Jim Thompson's House & Museum

A.k.a. how my future house will look like. Their website: www.jimthompsonhouse.com

Bang Pa-In Palace

The King's summer palace that the King never spends his summers in, or so the tour guide says. Enjoy the scenery and the animal-shaped hedges. Mandatory attire: Covered arms and legs.

 Khao San Road

Missed seeing this! My Thai friends were leery about taking me there. I heard it's a backpacker's paradise with cheap accommodations, bars and some disreputable sections.

 And last but not the least, No-prescription Pharmacies

Buy every restricted drug without a prescription to your heart's desire!

Have other recommendations? Feel free to leave a comment.